Sigma 50-500

[retired]

I have been offered one of these : Sigma 50-500mm 4-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for five hundred quid. It is in mint condition but I am unable to test it on my camera. I use Nikon gear and not familiar with the lettering of a Sigma. Can you tell me what EX and RF stands for?
I have found plenty of info about this lens and most of it positive but is there anyone on here who owns/uses one of these and are you getting good results?
Thanks in anticipation…..Bri :|

[corny]

EX identifies their pro range and whilst I have not owned this one I have the 100-300mm EX and the 120-300mm EX. They are pretty well built, surpisingly quick focussing compared to OEMs and pretty sharp. The reviews I have seen indicated that apart from this one being soft wide open, once stopped down some pretty good results can be achieved.

I have now switched to Nikon and am looking at another 120-300mm to compliment my D700.

Hope this helps.

[retired]

Thanks Ian, nice cam you have there. Long Nikon glass for me is out of the question, just could not warrant the expense.
I have been looking at the bigma for quite some time and now one has become available, I just do not know if its worth saving for a Nikon lens or go for this. Do you know what RF stands for? I wonder if its a typo and should be AF.
bri

[EmZee]

Thanks Ian, nice cam you have there. Long Nikon glass for me is out of the question, just could not warrant the expense.
I have been looking at the bigma for quite some time and now one has become available, I just do not know if its worth saving for a Nikon lens or go for this. Do you know what RF stands for? I wonder if its a typo and should be AF.
bri

As far as I know it means 'rear focus'.


(Edit)

Just had a look at their website - if you click on the designations it'll give you the meanings via a pop-up window.
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3307&navigator=3

[Mike.P]

Go do a search on Flickr, that's what I always do when looking at a lens and need some pics of what it can do.

Hopefully I am picking up a used Pentax mount of this lens next week if all goes well.

[retired]

thanks again Ian RF :shrug: of course, brain not working as well as looking at the start of the GP.
thanks also to Mike, I will have a look later (after the start) :lol:
bri

[retired]

[QUOTE=EmZee;1432158]As far as I know it means 'rear focus'.


thanks EmZee :thumbs:

[King of Groove]

I've just brought the Sigma 150-500 and am really pleased with it. It's heavy but worth it! It's got image stablisation on the lens (their equivalent of Nikon's VR).

I had been thinking of originally getting the Sigma 50-500 but it doesn't have image stablisation which put me off.

It's a good price the lens you're being offered at compared to the new price.

Here's info on the lens from Sigma's website:

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telezoom/50-500mm.htm

[retired]

[QUOTE=King of Groove;1432250]I've just brought the Sigma 150-500 and am really pleased with it. It's heavy but worth it! It's got image stabilisation on the lens (their equivalent of Nikon's VR).

I had been thinking of originally getting the Sigma 50-500 but it doesn't have image stabilisation which put me off.

It's a good price the lens you're being offered at compared to the new price.

Thanks Clive, I did think long and hard about the IS bit, I have a 70-200 VR with converters 1.4 and 2.
I would probably only use this lens with cable release and tripod so it should not be an issue. :thumbs:

by the way was your "Mrs Blackbird" shot with the 150-500?
bri